Press Scan

ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on April 30th, 2007. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

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MORE THAN A MILLION PEOPLE,

HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF FLAGS

More than a million people rallied in Istanbul in support of secularism with red-and-white flags and pictures of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in their hand. "Republican Meeting", planned by dozens of non-governmental organizations, took place in the city`s Caglayan Square.

Protestors vowed to preserve secular and democratic Republic of Turkey, and called on opposition parties to unite. "Turkey is secular and will remain secular!" they shouted. Meanwhile, the world press gave broad place to the protest. The BBC wrote that the rally was an enormous show of force.

CLAIMS: ELECTRICITY WAS CUT OFF INTENTIONALLY

It was claimed that although a number of TV channels broadcast the "Republican Meeting" in Istanbul live, electricity was cut off intentionally in the cities such as Tranzon, Kahramanmaras and Gaziantep to prevent people from watching it.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

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CAGLAYAN HOSTS A HISTORICAL DEMONSTRATION

After "Republic Demonstration" held in Tandogan Square in Ankara on April 14th, another historical demonstration was held in Caglayan Square in Istanbul on Sunday. Hundreds of thousands people coming from several cities of Turkey to Istanbul criticized the Justice & Development Party (AKP) government and shouted that they want a secular president. Representatives from nearly 600 non-governmental organizations attended the demonstration.

FIRST SPEECH FROM GUL

AKP`s presidential candidate, Foreign Minister and Deputy Premier Abdullah Gul stressed that the presidential election process still continued and he did not think of withdrawing his candidacy. Gul underscored that his candidacy was not "a decision taken overnight", on the contrary, it appeared as a result of long surveys and exchange of views. "The process still goes on. We should all wait for the decision of the Constitutional Court," Gul affirmed.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

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DEMOCRATIC REACTION

Hundreds of thousands of people took streets in Istanbul. Member of the organizer committee Prof. Necla Arat said "neither shari`a nor coup d`etat, we want a democratic Turkey."

500 NGOs supported the Caglayan Demonstration for Republic in Istanbul. There were many guesses for the number of participants. The organizers said "4 million", however many estimates were "over 1 million."

Thousands of citizens filled the Square with Turkish flags and posters of Ataturk in their hands. They sang marshes and songs, and shouted "we are all Kemalists, we are all Turks. Turkey will remain secular."

TENSION NOT TO BENEFIT ANYONE

Minister Sener assessed the situation that started with the declaration of the General Staff: tension would create irreparable results.

Commenting on the declaration of the General Staff, election and the demonstration in Caglayan, Deputy Premier Abdullatif Sener said, "the government is aware that the statement is aimed at itself. Following the election for Cankaya (Presidential Palace) an election might be held in August. The demonstration is in accordance with democratic norms."

VATAN (INDEPENDENT)

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WOMEN PUT A HAND

Hundreds of thousands of people, majority of which were women, held a demonstration in Istanbul`s Caglayan district on Sunday to show support for secularism and democracy. They protested the government with Islamic roots.

TUSIAD DEMANDS EARLY ELECTIONS

The Turkish Industrialists` and Businessmen`s Association (TUSIAD) issued a statement on Sunday on the presidential election process. In its statement, TUSIAD noted that early elections is a must and is in the best interest of the republic.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

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BIGGEST WARNING

Millions of people gathered in Istanbul`s Caglayan Square in support of secular and democratic Republic of Turkey. They gave a lesson once again to those who ignore people`s will. "Turkey is secular and will remain secular!" they shouted, giving the message that all political parties have to accept secularism as an indispensable requirement of modern state, civilization and the Constitution.

TUSIAD CALLS FOR EARLY ELECTIONS

Turkish Industrialists` & Businessmen`s Association (TUSIAD) has called for early elections to prevent recent tension from damaging democracy in Turkey. TUSIAD said that the Justice & Development Party (AKP) government failed to take into consideration people`s concerns about future of secularist regime.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

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POWER OF WOMEN

Several people attended the demonstration organized by the Association of Supporting Modern Life and Republican Women`s Association held in Istanbul on Sunday. Most of participants were the women. The crowd chanted slogans against the government.

TUSIAD: "EARLY ELECTIONS ARE COMPULSORY"

"It is compulsory to hold early general elections," stated Turkish Industrialists` and Businessmen`s Association (TUSIAD). The association noted, "early elections are a must to protect the integrity of secularism and democracy."

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

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DO NOT DISTURB STABILITY

Business world has warned that a lack of confidence will damage stability in Turkey seriously. Turkish Industrialists` & Businessmen`s Association (TUSIAD) said that the Justice & Development Party (AKP) government failed to take into consideration people`s concerns about secularist regime while the Union of Turkish Chambers & Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) noted that all problems should be resolved within democratic rules before economy is affected negatively.

HISTORIC SUMMIT IN ANKARA

President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan and President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan came together at a meeting in Ankara hosted by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister & deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul were also in attendance at the critical summit. During the summit, Turkey, called on the parties to put an end to tension. President Karzai and President Musharraf decided to maintain their dialogue.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

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WE HAVE FULL CONFIDENCE IN ECONOMY, ECONOMISTS

When the developments in regard to the presidential election reached a new dimension with the statement of the General Staff, economists discuss effect of the tension on the economy. Bankers, businessmen and market analysts agree that there has been a great transformation in the economy during the past four and a half years. Halkbank Executive Board Chairman Hasan Cebeci said that the current process would not make a negative impact on the markets. On the other hand, Halim Mete from the Union of Turkish Chambers & Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) remarked, "everyone should be calm. Turkish economy is very sound. The atmosphere of stability should be maintained."

PRESIDENTS OF PAKISTAN AND AFGHANISTAN MEET IN ANKARA

Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer hosted a dinner in honor of President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan and President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan at the Cankaya Presidential Palace in Ankara. Musharraf and Karzai will discuss several issues in a meeting to be attended by Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday.

YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)

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THE PROCESS IS PROCEEDING

The public opinion gave the message that election process for Cankaya Presidential Palace should continue in the framework of the Constitution. Candidate for president Abdullah Gul said "the process is continuing. I will not withdraw from candidacy, it is out of question."

All segments of society, especially political parties and NGOs, said the process should continue in democracy. Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said he will definitely not withdraw from candidacy.

FIND THIS COUNTERFEITER

It is understood that the news about "the order for attending celebrations marking the Holy Birth of the Noble Prophet," which was based on the declaration of the General Staff was a lie. Then the documents connected to the news was published. However it turned out to be counterfeited as well.

A newspaper published so-called "documents" regarding the news claiming "Altindag Provincial Directorate of National Education in Ankara ordered all schools to attend the Holly Birth Festival."

In the documents (released by the newspaper) which call on school directorates to attend the festival, the expression has been changed as "must attend."